Jeanrdow Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I seem to be building up a collection of food on the ground after my hens have scratched their way through their wet mash. They sometimes get in the bowl and scratch through it which then ends up on the ground in a soggy mess. Does anyone else have this problem. The ground is wet and messy already with rain so this makes it much worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 What kind of feeder are you using? I use pellets which aren't nearly as messy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 pellets are easier I agree There are a few things you can try though - you can remove the feeder every couple of days to make them eat up the scattered food, you can hang or place the feeder higher, a feeder at back or even chin height (for the hen!) which makes it harder for them to scoop through the food, and lastly you can try a feeder with 'fins' which may help - one like this: http://www.regencypoultry.com/feeders/plasticfeeders/superFeeder.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanrdow Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 I've got a big feeder which accommodates dry pellets but I think the problem is I'm using wet mash rather than dry mash or pellets. This is just in an open bowl so those suggestions are great. Thank you.I think I worry if I'm not feeding them enough and tend to keep a constant supply. It's the way they run at me the minute I go near them, looking for food- greedy girls!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I feed my girls pellets with the container inside a large seed tray to catch the bits. ..well most of them They associatte me with food and come running when they see me .They always think I have treats., I am not so sure it is me they are glad to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I rarely feed my hens wet mash. 2 reasons, firstly it can go off pretty quickly & what is yummy & smells good in the morning is pretty nasty by mid afternoon. The other reason as you say is that they stand around in it & it goes everywhere. Pretty soon the whole place is honking. I give them dry mash in purpose made hen feeders. They still drop much more than I would like but it doesn't go off & I could if I was organised put a tray under the feeders to catch all the spillage. Keep the wet mash for the depth of winter, they won't notice. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanrdow Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 Fantastic, thank you. I have a proper feeder for them so will use that with a mix of dry and pellets and see how that goes. You are right, it smells rancid after a few days. Great idea re the tray underneath. Will get organised with that.what a great forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanrdow Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 Ps how do you add all your pets after your posting? Looks great and I love to see what everyone has Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Ps how do you add all your pets after your posting? Looks great and I love to see what everyone has that is called your"signature" you need to go into user control panel, click on profile, then click on signature and you can add what you want in there and save it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I agree, I use a gravity feeder like the one Redwing linked to, it is suspended from the roof of the run and is level with the hens' backs - they almost never scatter food on the floor, but if this happens, I just take away the feeder until they've cleared up the mess. Bear in mind that it's not the quantity that they eat (chickens will usually self-regulate) but what you are feeding them; there is no place in their diet for human, processed food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanrdow Posted November 24, 2011 Author Share Posted November 24, 2011 no i'm being very good re keeping treats to a minimum and keeping the bulk of it mash or pellets for a balanced diet. Their treats that they love are sweetcorn and grapes (they go daft for grapes)!! But I do keep it to a minimum. I'veheard lots of stories of ill hens due to overtreating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 That's good I am always reminded of the man who complained to me that his hens weren't laying; after going through the usual questions as to their age and when they were last wormed, i asked what he fed them on... 'spaghetti and mashed potato, because they like it'. Of course they love it but hens tend to store fat inside their skeleton (around their organs) so too many carbs and processed stuff will literally suffocate their innards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
